Teatro VivoThe 2017 Austin Latino New Play Festival
Festival of New Work Features the Diverse Voices of Playwrights Kelly McBurnette-Andronicos, Anthony Aguilar, and Luis Vega
AUSTIN, Texas — Teatro Vivo presents the 7th annual Austin Latino New Play Festival (ALNPF), in collaboration with ScriptWorks, March 3-4, 2017 at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center. The festival includes three evenings and one afternoon of staged readings of new Latino plays.
The ALNPF brings playwrights and audience members together in conversation surrounding new theatre works that provide insight into the Latino experience. After each reading, the playwright participates in a talkback session with the audience. The ALNPF features three new plays, including a theatre-for-youth piece that will be presented the afternoon of Saturday March 4, 2017. All three plays tell stories with Latino roots and explore cross-cultural themes and dilemmas that surprise, challenge, engage, and push the dramatic envelope for audience members accustomed to one-way conversations at the theater.
Friday, March 3 (8 p.m.): The Hall of Final Ruin by Kelly McBurnette-Andronicos
Directed by Alexis Arredondo
Synopsis: As the Mexicans abandon 19th century Santa Fe to the Americans, a wealthy, high-stakes gambler wants only to preserve her family’s way of life and die a good Catholic death. But, the arrival of a needy Protestant, a fortune in ill-gotten gold, and unorthodox coaching from Death’s irreverent cart driver, complicate the ‘madrina’s’ perfect exit into Purgatory, forcing a final card game in which all is both lost and won.
Playwright: Winner of the Southern Playwrights Competition for To Tread Among Serpents, Kelly’s aesthetic view is a fusion of Southern Appalachian and Southwest U.S. culture and heavily influenced by the literary genres of Gothicism, Romanticism, and Magical Realism. Kelly’s plays have been produced or workshopped at Something Marvelous (Chicago), Renaissance Theaterworks (Milwaukee), the Barter Theatre (VA), The Bechdel Group (NY), Raíces Theatre Company (Buffalo), Jacksonville State University, among others. She earned a degree in theatre from the University of New Mexico.
Saturday, March 4 (3 p.m.): Emma & the Suzies by Anthony Aguilar (Theatre for Youth)
Directed by Sam Provenzano
Synopsis: After her grandson is caught spray painting, Grandma Emma must relive her rebellious youth in 1960s Boyle Heights. Now she watches on as her teenage self tries to start a gang named after her friends, the Suzies. But can Grandma Emma’s stories of defiance convince her grandson not to follow in her footsteps? This comedic play will have young teens and adults alike laughing with delight.
Playwright: Anthony Aguilar is a writer with several plays performed throughout the Los Angeles area. He is also the creator of the El Verde series, which follows the adventures of a Latino superhero. Productions include the punk rock musical, Little Red (Casa 0101, 2015), El Verde (Casa 0101 / TeAda Productions, Miles Memorial Playhouse, 2009), El Verde: The Wrath of Kahlo (Inner-City Arts, The Rosenthal Theater, 2014), and For One Mariachi (East LA Rep / Watts Village Theater Company, Meet Me At Metro, 2012). He received a series of readings through Center Theatre Group’s The Shop initiative for his stageplays El Verde and Emma & the Suzies (2014 / 2015) He has also been a writer’s assistant for Hulu’s East Los High (season 1) and a production office assistant on Comedy Central’s Key and Peele (season 5). He holds a B.A. in Theatre from California State University, Northridge and is originally from Boyle Heights, California.
Saturday, March 4 (8 p.m.): The Last Barnstorm by Luis Vega
Directed by Adam Martinez
Synopsis: Seeking to escape a troubled home life and racial segregation in the United States, an up-and-coming Negro League baseball player abandons his wife and newborn child for the chance to start anew in Mexico. Before long, drink and physical injury stall his dream of stardom, and he must reckon with what remains in a land that suddenly feels very far from home.
Playwright: Luis Vega is an actor, writer, and a teacher in New York City. Born to Puerto Rican parents, he grew up bilingual between the mainland and the island. As an actor, he has appeared off-Broadway and regionally at The Williamstown Theater Festival, The Atlantic Theater Company, The Culture Project, HERE Arts Center, South Coast Repertory and Virginia Stage. He has also appeared in TV and film, most notably, the Sundance feature, Another Earth (directed by Mike Cahill). Although Luis has written a number of short plays and films, The Last Barnstorm is his first full-length play. He is a graduate of Columbia University (BA in English) and UCSD (MFA in Acting).
Contact Dolores Diaz for more information, images, and interviews at austinlnpf@gmail.com.
This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.
Explore the Magic of Friendship
What would you do to get what you want?
TEATRO VIVO PRESENTS ENFRASCADA
A Dark Comedy by Tanya Saracho
Teatro Vivo is excited to bring you Enfrascada, a dark comedy by renowned playwright and screenwriter Tanya Saracho, presented at the Emma S. Barrientos-Mexican American Cultural Center under the direction of Claudia M. Chávez.
Alicia is a successful art curator who seems to have her life together. But, when her world is turned upside down, she turns to her friends for support. Together they seek the guidance of wise señoras – and enter the realm of hoodoo, santeria, and curanderismo – to make things how they used to be. With an all-star cast including Karina Domínguez, Emily McDougall, Eva McQuade, Bárbara Mojica, JoJanie Segura Moreno, and Minerva Villa-Rivera, this hilarious and touching comedy about a group of modern-day Latinas explores the magic of friendship.
“This story touches on so many amazing aspects of our culture,” says
Chávez. “It embodies freedom and the sisterhood of women.”
September 7-24, 2017
Emma S. Barrientos – Mexican American Cultural Center
600 River St, Austin, TX 78701
Thursdays through Saturdays* at 8pm, Sundays at 2pm
September 16 performance will be at 2:00 PM to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Emma S. Barrientos-Mexican American Cultural Center.
Stage management by René Gatica
Set Design by Gerardo de la Cruz
Lighting Design by Patrick Anthony
Costume Design by Melissa Swartz
Props Design by Deanna Deolloz
Sound Design by Carlos Schroeder-Arce
Graphic Design by Paul Del Bosque
About Tanya Saracho:
Tanya Saracho was born in Sinaloa, México and grew up between Reynosa, Mexico and McAllen, Texas. She is a playwright who also writes for television, including “Looking,” “Girls,” “Devious Maids,” and “How To Get Away With Murder.” Saracho is a winner of the Ofner Prize given by the Goodman Theater in Chicago, a recipient of an NEA Distinguished New Play Development Project Grant, and a 3Arts Artists Award. Saracho was given the first “Revolucionario” Award in Theater by the National Museum of Mexican Art.
jj’s arcade April 14 – May 7
TEATRO VIVO AND ZACH THEATRE INVITE YOU
TO CELEBRATE A CHILD’S IMAGINATION
Teatro Vivo presents a new play for the entire family this April. In partnership with ZACH Theatre, Teatro Vivo brings you the world premiere of jj’s arcade, a bilingual production for young audiences, at the Emma S. Barrientos-Mexican American Cultural Center.
Public Performances are April14 – May 7, 2017.
Friday and Saturday at 7pm
Matinees Saturday and Sunday at 2pm
The new work by José Casas is directed by Nat Miller, and stars Diego Rodríguez and Alessandro Sánchez as José Joaquin (J.J.) Hernández. Joining them are Mario Ramírez as Mario Hernández, Martinique Duchene-Phillips as Sandra Hernández/Linda Garcia, and Ben Bazán as Oscar Torres.
Mario is a hard-working auto mechanic in east LA who is left to raise his son, JJ, after the passing of JJ’s mother. In order to honor her memory and cope with the lack of connection with his father, JJ begins to build an arcade out of leftover cardboard from his dad’s garage. It is through JJ’s imagination and ingenuity that he is able to connect to himself and his family. This bilingual play celebrates culture, imagination, perseverance, and family. jj’s arcade will be co-produced with ZACH Theatre and be presented at the Emma S. Barrientos-Mexican American Cultural Center, located at 600 River Street, Austin, Texas.
Recommendation: Ages 7 and up.
Run time: Approximately one hour.Curricular Connections: Science (Engineering), Dual Language (Spanish/English), Social Emotional Learning
Special events in celebration of jj’s arcade:
- Press Night: Friday, April 14, 2017 at 7 p.m. RSVP to shiro@motleycrewmedia.com
- Sensory Friendly and Sign Interpreted/Open Captioned Performance – April 29, 2017 at 2 p.m.
Tickets for jj’s arcade are $13 (Youth) and $15 (Adult) and are available online at http://zachtheatre.org/shows/theatre-for-families/jjs-arcade/ and by phone at 512-476-0541 x1, or in person at the ZACH Theatre Box Office, in the Topfer Theatre, 202 South Lamar Blvd. (corner of Riverside Drive and South Lamar Blvd.) Monday through Saturday, 12 – 7 p.m. All performances are at the Emma S. Barrientos-Mexican American Cultural Center. The ESB-MACC is wheelchair accessible. Discounts are available for groups of 20 or more.
jj’s arcade Cast
Diego Rodriguez – Jose Joaquin (J.J) Hernandez
Alessandro Sanchez – Jose Joaquin (J.J) Hernandez
Mario Ramirez – Mario Hernandez
Martinique Duchene-Phillips – Sandra Hernandez/Linda Garcia
Ben Bazan – Oscar Torres
jj’s arcade Creative Team
José Casas-Playwright
Nat Miller – Director
Michael Krauss – Scenic Designer
Lacey Erb – Projection Designer
Alana Anthony – Costume Design Assistant
Patrick Anthony – Lighting Designer
Pete Martinez – Sound Designer
Megan Smith – Stage Manager
About Teatro Vivo
Inspired by the power of theatre to educate and entertain, Teatro Vivo is dedicated to producing and promoting theatre that showcases the Latino experience and is accessible to all audiences, especially those underserved by the arts. Founded in 2000, Teatro Vivo has produced more than 40 full-length bilingual productions, collaborations with other arts organizations, and opportunities for theatre artists to develop new work. Teatro Vivo is a proud member of the Latino Arts Residency Program at the Emma S. Barrientos-Mexican American Cultural Center.
About ZACH Theatre
A non-profit organization, ZACH creates intimate theatre experiences that ignite the imagination, inspire the spirit, and engage the community. As Austin’s leading professional producing theatre, ZACH employs more than 300 actors, musicians, and designers annually to create its own diverse array of nationally recognized plays and musicals under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Dave Steakley and Managing Director Elisbeth Challener. Founded in 1932 and in its 84nd season, ZACH is the longest continuously running theatre company in the state of Texas, and one of the ten oldest in the country. Visit www.zachtheatre.org for more information.
This project is sponsored in part by The Shubert Foundation, the Junior League of Austin, The National Endowment for the Arts, Texas Commission on the Arts, FuturoFund Austin, and the Cultural Arts Division of The City of Austin Economic Development Department.
Connect with Teatro Vivo:
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/teatrovivoaustintx
Twitter @TeatroVivotx http://www.twitter.com/teatrovivotx
Instagram http://instagram.com/teatrovivotx
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Teatro Vivo Presents the 7th Annual Austin Latino New Play Festival
Playwrights Kelly McBurnette-Andronicos, Anthony Aguilar, and Luis Vega Showcase Diverse Voices
AUSTIN, Texas, February 8, 2017 – Teatro Vivo presents the 7th annual Austin Latino New Play Festival (ALNPF) in collaboration with ScriptWorks, March 3-4 at the Emma S. Barrientos-Mexican American Cultural Center. The festival includes two evenings and one afternoon of staged readings of new Latino plays.
The ALNPF brings playwrights and audience members together in conversation surrounding new theatre works that provide insight into the Latino experience. After each performance, the playwright participates in a talkback session with the audience. The ALNPF features three new plays, including a theatre-for-youth piece that will be presented the afternoon of Saturday March 4, 2017. All three plays tell stories with Latino roots and explore cross-cultural themes and dilemmas that surprise, challenge, engage, and push the dramatic envelope for audience members accustomed to one-way conversations at the theater.
General admission for the festival is donation-based or “pay what you wish” at the theatre. A $30 reserved seat festival pass is available for those attending all three performances. Reserved seats may also be purchased for $15 for each play. Furthermore, Teatro Vivo is offering a limited number of complimentary “social media” seats for audience members interested in live tweeting and posting to social media during the festival.
For more information, images, and playwright interviews, please contact Dolores Diaz at austinlnpf@gmail.com.
Reserved tickets available now!
Friday, March 3 (8 p.m.): The Hall of Final Ruin by Kelly McBurnette-Andronicos
Directed by Oscar Franco
Synopsis: As the Mexicans abandon 19th century Santa Fe to the Americans, a wealthy, high-stakes gambler wants only to preserve her family’s way of life and die a good Catholic death, but the arrival of a needy Protestant, a fortune in ill-gotten gold, and unorthodox coaching from Death’s irreverent cart driver, complicate the ‘madrina’s’ perfect exit into Purgatory, forcing a final card game in which all is both lost and won.
Playwright: Winner of the Southern Playwrights Competition for To Tread Among Serpents, Kelly’s aesthetic view is a fusion of Southern Appalachian and Southwest U.S. culture and heavily influenced by the literary genres of Gothicism, Romanticism, and Magical Realism. Kelly’s plays have been produced or workshopped at Something Marvelous (Chicago), Renaissance Theaterworks (Milwaukee), the Barter Theatre (VA), The Bechdel Group (NY), Raíces Theatre Company (Buffalo), Jacksonville State University, among others. She earned a degree in theatre from the University of New Mexico.
Saturday, March 4 (3 p.m.): Emma & the Suzies by Anthony Aguilar (Theatre for Young Adults)
Directed by Sam Provenzano
Synopsis: After her grandson is caught spray painting, Grandma Emma must relive her rebellious youth in 1960s Boyle Heights. Now she watches on as her teenage self tries to start a gang named after her friends, the Suzies. But can Grandma Emma’s stories of defiance convince her grandson not to follow in her footsteps? This comedic play will have teens and adults alike laughing with delight.
Playwright: Anthony Aguilar is a writer with several plays performed throughout the Los Angeles area. He is also the creator of the El Verde series, which follows the adventures of a Latino superhero. Productions include the punk rock musical, Little Red (Casa 0101, 2015), El Verde (Casa 0101 / TeAda Productions, Miles Memorial Playhouse, 2009), El Verde: The Wrath of Kahlo (Inner-City Arts, The Rosenthal Theater, 2014), and For One Mariachi (East LA Rep / Watts Village Theater Company, Meet Me At Metro, 2012). He received a series of readings through Center Theatre Group’s The Shop initiative for his stageplays El Verde and Emma & the Suzies (2014 / 2015) He has also been a writer’s assistant for Hulu’s East Los High (season 1) and a production office assistant on Comedy Central’s Key and Peele (season 5). He holds a B.A. in Theatre from California State University, Northridge and is originally from Boyle Heights, California.
Saturday, March 4 (8 p.m.): The Last Barnstorm by Luis Vega
Directed by Adam Martinez
Synopsis: Seeking to escape a troubled home life and racial segregation in the United States, an up-and-coming Negro League baseball player abandons his wife and newborn child for the chance to start anew in Mexico. Before long, drink and physical injury stall his dream of stardom, and he must reckon with what remains in a land that suddenly feels very far from home.
Playwright: Luis Vega is an actor, writer, and a teacher in New York City. Born to Puerto Rican parents, he grew up bilingual between the mainland and the island. As an actor, he has appeared off-Broadway and regionally at The Williamstown Theater Festival, The Atlantic Theater Company, The Culture Project, HERE Arts Center, South Coast Repertory and Virginia Stage. He has also appeared in TV and film, most notably, the Sundance feature, Another Earth (directed by Mike Cahill). Although Luis has written a number of short plays and films, The Last Barnstorm is his first full-length play. He is a graduate of Columbia University (BA in English) and UCSD (MFA in Acting).
This project is in collaboration with Austin ScriptWorks, and is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.
Diablos, Shepherds, & Payasadas
Teatro Vivo Presents Nuestra Pastorela
AUSTIN, Texas — Teatro Vivo is excited to present Nuestra Pastorela, a play that offers a unique twist on a favorite holiday tradition. This story promises to be a fun evening at the theatre for the entire family.
Written by Jeffry Farrell and David Lozano, and directed by Ricky Ramon, Nuestra Pastorela is a fun and wacky adaptation of the traditional shepherd’s tale. Accompanied by the musical stylings of Clemencia Zapata and performed in a playful mix of English, Spanish, and gibberish, Nuestra Pastorela follows the lively shepherds on their way to Bethlehem. Along the way, a group of bumbling devils try to interrupt their journey and plot the shepherds’ ultimate doom, bringing the ultimate showdown between good and evil front stage in a chaotic and hilarious compilation.
“People will walk away with a better understanding of the story we’ve all grown to love,” says Ramon. “They will leave the theatre feeling energized, happy, and ready to celebrate the holidays.”
Nuestra Pastorela es una divertida y absurda adaptación del cuento tradicional. Con el talento musical de Clemencia Zapata, y realizada en una mezcla de Inglés, Español, y sonserías, Nuestra Pastorela sigue un grupo de pastores animados en su camino a Belén. Por el viaje, unos diablos necios tratan de interrumpirlos, intentando la desolación de los pastores. La lucha entre el bien y el mal toma el primer plano en una historia caótica y cómica. Con un toque diferente, Nuestra Pastorela promete ser una noche inolvidable para toda la familia.
Date: December 1-18, 2016
Showtimes: Thursdays through Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 2pm
Location: Emma S. Barrientos-Mexican American Cultural Center
600 River St, Austin, TX 78701
This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.
Celebrate the Ghosts and Legends of South Texas
TEATRO VIVO PRESENTS STORIES THAT MUST NOT DIE
AUSTIN, Texas — Teatro Vivo is excited to present Stories That Must Not Die, a recollection of tales from South Texas and along the Rio Grande. Stories that have been passed down through generations will be brought to life on stage under the direction of Alexis Arredondo.
Stories That Must Not Die takes us back to the days of telling ghost stories over a campfire, or listening to your grandparents share traditional folktales as they drink their evening cafecito with pan dulce. Stories such as ‘The Handsome Stranger,’ ‘Don Pedrito Jaramillo,’ and ‘La Llorona’ explore the age-old themes of vanity, greed, desperation, loss, and hope.
“The reason these are called stories that must not die is because they are slowly disappearing,” said Arredondo. “These stories are not only important to our culture, but remind us of daily valuable lessons of our society. They must live on just as it is important for our society and culture to keep living. These aren’t just folklore and legends, these are our stories.”
Date: October 13-23, 2016
Showtimes: Thursdays through Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 2pm
Location: Emma S. Barrientos – Mexican American Cultural Center
600 River St, Austin, TX 78701
Teatro Vivo Presents “EL” by Raul Garza
New Play Explores Power of Truth and Storytelling
AUSTIN, Texas — Teatro Vivo is thrilled to present EL, a new play by Raul Garza. Through humor, sadness, and strong allusions to Latino culture, EL takes us through the hardships of a family, as well as their individual struggles and desires.
EL follows an aspiring writer torn between fulfilling her desire for success, and honoring her family’s deepest secrets. In the process of telling her truth, she sheds light on the past her family has tried to forget, and risks losing their trust. But in this struggle, they discover new perspectives about what really happened.
EL encourages us to think about how our past shapes the way we live in the present, and how we face our future. “[People] can relate to the story by seeing themselves in it and by recognizing the significance of their own version of truth or reality,” said Garza. “They can relate to it by remembering the ways that oral stories have been handed down in their families.”
As a playwright, Raul Garza reflects his real and imagined world through stories that resound with authenticity and sense of place. EL is directed by Christina J. Moore, an Austin theatre professional whose work has covered the gamut from directing and producing to acting, teaching, and voiceovers. Our all-star cast is composed of Gricelda Silva, Mary Alice Carnes, Jesus Valles, Rupert Reyes, Roxy Becker, and Nathanael Dunaway.
Date: September 8th through September 25th
Showtimes: Thursdays through Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 2pm
Location: Mexican American Cultural Center (600 River St, Austin, TX 78701)
Written by Raul Garza and Directed by Christina J. Moore
Purchase your tickets here.
This project is sponsored in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.
Mexcentrics
WEEKEND FESTIVAL SPOTLIGHTS LATINO COMEDY
AUSTIN, Texas — Teatro Vivo is proud to present the Mexcentrics Latino Comedy Showcase that spans the first weekend in August. Mexcentrics brings together comedians of varying styles that are united through a sense of culture and community. The different solo and ensemble acts reflect the complexity and beauty of Latino life and culture with authenticity, sincerity, and laughter. The event will be hosted by Howard Beecher and includes performances from stand-up comedians Vanessa Gonzalez and Jesse Pangelinan, as well as the improv comedy troupe Shades of Brown and Teatro Vivo’s sketch comedy troupe, the Mexcentrics. (Advisory Warning: Adult Content)
Date: August 4-6, 2016 Thursday – Saturday
Showtimes: 8pm on Thursday August 4, 8pm and 10pm on Friday and Saturday August 5-6
Location: Mexican American Cultural Center (600 River St, Austin, TX 78701)
Mario Ramirez, Teatro Vivo’s Executive Artistic Director, says “it’s exciting to have such a talented team of professional actors and comedians who love to make people laugh, and are dedicated to delivering an honest look at the Latino experience.”
Come join us en la riza!
Stories of Us April 21- May 8
Teatro Vivo’s explores Afro-Latino identity in new play: Stories of Us
Teatro Vivo is proud to present Stories of Us, a production that takes an in-depth look at Latino and Black relations. The play uses a variety of performance styles to explore the histories behind Afro-Latinidad while addressing how past interactions between the two separate cultures have impacted their current relationship as a community.
The Stories of Us is a collection of stories that dig deep into intercultural conflict between African Americans and Latinos, African Diaspora identity and Afrolatinidad. Think of it as a scrapbook of experiences, histories and feelings on the stage. It’s takes you through stories about African roots in Mexico, the time you told your brother you were dating a “Black girl” and that moment you were proud of your heritage. The Stories of US details our stories as people of color trying to navigate each other’s worlds and build one together.
This play has been written by recent UT graduate and author of the blog Black Girl, Latin World Jelisa Jay Robinson, and is directed by the Managing Director of Salvage Vanguard Florinda Bryant. In an effort to unite both groups, Stories of Us details experiences of discrimination that many still currently face and uses those observations to open a rich dialogue about the importance of acceptance, solidarity, and love.
Name of Play: Stories of Us
Date: April 21 – May 8, Thursday through Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2pm
Location: Mexican American Cultural Center (600 River St, Austin, TX 78701
Written by Jelisa Jay Robinson and Directed by Florinda Bryant
“This is our first production that looks at Afro-Latinidad. We have presented other plays that spoke about racism within our own community. This play has much more depth and insight into the Afro-Latino experience,” said Rupert Reyes cofounder of Teatro Vivo. “The conversation that explores the similarities between Blacks and Latinos needs to begin or continue. I don’t know what the forces are at play that divide us. I do know that we can be one of the forces that unite us. We hope that all of our plays create a movement for more unity on the community level, the local level.”
About Teatro Vivo:
As a bilingual theater company, Teatro Vivo’s mission is to produce culturally relevant Latino theatre that addresses critical social issues. All of Teatro Vivo’s productions have Latino roots and branch into every corner of human experience, exploring age-old themes and modern dilemmas. This is Teatro Vivo’s sixth year as a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. With a commitment to using the culture and history of Latino experience to engage with its audience, Teatro Vivo has produced more than 24 full-length productions and community workshops since it’s opening in 2000. Teatro Vivo also still continues to be the only active bilingual Latino theater company in the state of Texas, which has also gained a number of prestigious local awards such as B Iden Payne Award, Austin Table Critics Award and the Cohen New Play Award. Teatro Vivo always strives to produce performances with Latino roots that reflect human experiences while celebrating the richness of Latino culture. Visit http://www.teatrovivo.org or contact JoAnn Reyes for information, images and interviews at 512-413-6791 or joannreyes@yahoo.com
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Until Next Year! The 6th Annual Austin Latino New Play Festival Comes to a Close
The Austin Latino New Play Festival (ALNPF) was held this weekend at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center, where play writers got to premiere their work to an audience and get their thoughts in the talkback session after the play. The plays My Dad is a Pterodactyl, Primas, Más Cara, and Mamacita and the Negrito were in this year’s festival written by Andrew Valdez, Roxanne Schroeder-Arce, Krysta Gonzeles, and Emilio Rodriguez, respectively.
At the sixth year the ALNPF, the Latino-focused plays were a more mature in terms of revision due to a public reading held earlier in the year. Producer Project Manager of the ALNPF Dolores Diaz says the festival is a sort of peek behind the curtains for the public. This rings true for the overall feel of the festival, both backstage and onstage. Backstage, the production crew for Mamacita and the Negrito are all laughs. While onstage is bare with just stools and a sheet stand, a typical view for rehearsals, is unusual for a premiere.
The audience waiting for the showtime of Mamacita and the Negrito. (Photo Credits: Jordan Kasprzynski)
First-timer at the ALNPF was Krysta Gonzales, whose play Más Cara premiered Friday, found the experience to be nurturing. “I had one moment where I got some critical feedback and I wrote the same note that they {an audience member} had.”
In a time when people don’t just experience events like the Super Bowl or the Oscars with the people and TV around them, but with the people online as well, the incorporation of the “Social Media Seats” was created. These seats are designated in an area that will not distract from the rest of the audience and media approved by Teatro Vivo, where people got free tickets to sit in on the play and live-tweet the play and talkback sessions.
The Austin Latino New Play Festival is hosted in collaboration with Teatro Vivo and Scriptworks. (Photo Credits: Jordan Kasprzynski)
“Maybe what sticks with you five minutes ago doesn’t stick a month ago…this is a way to check back,” says Diaz.
This new feature at the ALNPF is planning to grow after its inception, where Diaz hopes will create a conversation online through the designated hash tags that can go for as long as there is a discussion to be had on the topic.
Connect
